F1 EXPLAINS: How the drivers prepare themselves mentally to cope with the demands of being in Formula 1

This week’s episode of the F1 Explains podcast sees the crew take a look at the mental side of being a Formula 1 driver and how the racers prepare themselves ahead of a Grand Prix – with the help of a former race winner and a performance coach.

New-for-2023, F1 Explains is hosted by Katie Osborne and Christian Hewgill and sees the pair answering a different set of questions each week, with the aim of giving fans the inside line about how F1 really works.

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Formula 1 is a high-speed, high-stress sport, so being relaxed, ignoring distractions, and recovering from setbacks requires huge mental strength, composure, and resilience.

So how do F1 drivers cope? How do they make sure their minds are in the right condition to race? And what support and training do they get to help them across the season?

With the help of 13-time race winner David Coulthard and performance coach Pete McKnight – the Performance Director of Hintsa Performance, who gets F1 drivers mentally ready to race – the crew explore the mental side of being an F1 driver.

Coulthard opens up about the mental strength he developed throughout his 15-season stint in Formula 1, and helps Osborne and Hewgill explain why drivers have to believe they are the best in the world to perform at a high level.

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McKnight joins the duo to explain how drivers get into the zone before the race and how a routine can help with that, and how he helps different drivers respond to mistakes and defeat.

To listen to the latest F1 Explains click the audio player above or click here to listen on your preferred platform.